Matthew Block, who was Gov. John Bel Edwards’ right-hand man and top lawyer until 15 months ago, has joined Ochsner Health in the newly created position of executive vice president and chief administrative officer.
Block, who stepped down as Edwards’ executive counsel in October 2022 to return to his private law practice in Thibodaux, is no stranger to the state’s health system. When Edwards expanded Medicaid on his first day as governor in 2016, Block helped craft the details.
Block is also no stranger to Ochsner. Since returning to private practice 15 months ago, he has counted the massive health system among his clients, doing consulting and government relations work for them. So when Ochsner CEO Pete November offered him the position, he couldn’t pass up the opportunity.
Ochsner is Louisiana's largest health care system.
“Health care is one of the most fundamental things that any government does, whether state or federal,” Block said Tuesday, following his first day on the new job. “In Louisiana, with so much of our population on Medicare or Medicaid, those programs are critically important, and I think we have a very good story to tell about the work Ochsner is doing to help make our state healthier.”
In his new position, Block will be in charge of government relations, where he will coordinate with Ochsner’s team of external lobbyists and consultants. He’ll also oversee community affairs, philanthropy, internal audit, real estate, compliance, and security and emergency preparedness.
"We are excited to have Matthew Block join Ochsner Health," November said in a prepared statement. "Matthew is an outstanding leader and problem solver with a proven track record of improving access to health care in communities across Louisiana."
Personal relationship
Ochsner is the state’s largest health system, with 42 hospitals and more than 200 urgent care centers across Louisiana and Mississippi. It’s also one of its largest employers, with more than 37,000 workers.
Block is a skilled facilitator, known for his calm, even keel and for maintaining ties with Edwards' adversaries even when tensions were high. That includes Gov.-elect Jeff Landry, who, as attorney general, challenged Edwards repeatedly during his two terms both in the courtroom and in the court of public opinion. Next week, Landry will succeed Edwards when he is inaugurated.
Matthew Block, photographed Monday, Oct. 31, 2022 on the fourth floor of the State Capitol, ended his tenure recently as the right-hand man of Gov. John Bel Edwards, working as the governor's executive counsel since the beginning of Edwards' two terms, starting in January of 2016.
Block said he looks forward to working with the new governor and the Republican-dominated legislature, despite his ties to the outgoing Democratic administration.
“I have known the incoming governor for a long time and we have a personal relationship,” Block said. “We respected each other, even in our previous positions, when there were times we had to take positions that were contrary to one another. I think he always knew it was not personal and I think as we start this new administration, everybody should be rooting for him to be successful."
Block joins a health system that, like its counterparts around the country, is facing soaring labor and drug costs amid meager growth in Medicare and Medicaid reimbursement rates. Earlier this year, the system laid off 770 employees, the most in Ochsner's history.
At the same time, the health care landscape is on the cusp of a potentially major shift for doctors and hospitals. The state's largest commercial insurer, nonprofit Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Louisiana, is seeking to reorganize and sell itself to a large, national for-profit company. If approved, the change could impact how — and how much — providers are reimbursed.
Block joins Ochsner's 13-person executive leadership team, which includes Dr. Robert Hart, Chief Physician Executive and President of Ochsner Clinic, and Mike Hulefeld, President and Chief Operating Officer.
Executive Vice President and Chief External Affairs Officer David Gaines plans to leave Ochsner in March to form his own consulting and strategic communications firm, which will include Ochsner as a client.
"It has been professionally fulfilling to work with the talented team at Ochsner, along with our partners and elected officials to pass major legislation benefiting and protecting Ochsner patients, staff and communities across Louisiana," Gaines said. "With this new firm, I look forward to continuing this important work with Ochsner, our new Governor and legislative leadership to advance health care in our state while also expanding into additional industry and business sectors. With a distinctive blend of government relations expertise and strategic communications skills, the firm will aim to shape narratives, influence decisions and foster a landscape of positive transformation for businesses in Louisiana."
Editor's Note: This story has been revised to correct an earlier version that misstated Block's position on Ochsner's executive leadership team and Gaines' departure date.